Question of the Week: Question #22

<em>I've been wanting to post about this subject for awhile now (here's <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2011/09/glee-premieres-tonight.html">a hint</a>), so I thought it would make a good topic for this week's question. Have a question? I'd love to hear it, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol) or ask me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/soaboutwhatisaid">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://www.twitter.com/melissablake">Twitter</a>, friends! Today's question...</em><br /><br /><strong>What is your favorite musical?</strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu16Apm99QKqrBSj6pG7Dc8Vjz0OAh_A2m-YZl_HffGcCSDv96S5FkDe7LF6ncGeOm0bQp4kcba1H-E04nFI5t9uDnxRJeeCaTsH3AEAyd40zKL6O35jGZsIXUKA3I0WbQIKGocakbIlo/s1600/annie.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5735037454320682578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu16Apm99QKqrBSj6pG7Dc8Vjz0OAh_A2m-YZl_HffGcCSDv96S5FkDe7LF6ncGeOm0bQp4kcba1H-E04nFI5t9uDnxRJeeCaTsH3AEAyd40zKL6O35jGZsIXUKA3I0WbQIKGocakbIlo/s400/annie.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 368px;" /></a>There’s no business like show business. Everything about it is appealing. And of course, nowhere can you get that happy feeling. <br /><br />That’s what the famous dance number from <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042200/">Annie, Get Your Gun</a> tells us, at least. The song also says that there are no people like show people – those happy, flashy, extravagant, over-the-top people who have seamlessly mastered the art of acting, singing and dancing.<br /><br />I have a confession. I, for once, feel like I’m standing ahead of a trend, looking back and saying “<em>I told you so</em>” to the poor saps who are finally catching up to the glory that is the Grand Musical. People have tried to hide their love of a good shake-and-dance show, but I’ve been an advocate for musicals my whole life.<br /><div align="center"> </div><a href="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13812000/13812281_df6c_625x625.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13812000/13812281_df6c_625x625.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 569px;" /></a>I suppose I have my mother to thank for my overabundant love of musicals. She started us early and often. I had memorized every song in <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042200/">Annie</a> when I was 4. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048445/">Oklahoma</a> by the time I was 8. In the car on those long family trips, we even sang. What was my mom’s standard of choice? Musicals, of course, usually something from <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058385/">My Fair Lady</a> or <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049408/">The King And I</a>. I almost think if you ask her nicely, she’ll belt out On The Street Where You Live at your child’s next party or Bar Mitzvah. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LCKf1w55-b_Z1ufFXpoglm7LzlB4uXQatbIffxFEfgZ6rMxHgNhYNXImt2APT_FcOstaquGukCINFUKo3i2FG1-_ZTG9XtaldRwdyrnk5HoyCzXw0Y5JaGkJ35ZMAtD6NQFN-9GVLOw/s1600/annie3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5735037446729586754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0LCKf1w55-b_Z1ufFXpoglm7LzlB4uXQatbIffxFEfgZ6rMxHgNhYNXImt2APT_FcOstaquGukCINFUKo3i2FG1-_ZTG9XtaldRwdyrnk5HoyCzXw0Y5JaGkJ35ZMAtD6NQFN-9GVLOw/s400/annie3.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 233px;" /></a>Musicals can make anything look – and sound – like a big, grand event. A giant party. An inside look at the devastating world of gangs? There’s <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055614/">West Side Story</a>. A melancholy story of parents who pawned their children off to a nanny? Try <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055614/">Mary Poppins</a>. A movie that portrays people actually enjoying and getting down tonight in the 1970s? Don’t forget <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076666/">Saturday Night Fever</a>. The story of a washed up movie star with delusions of grandeur? There's my all-time favorite <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043014/">Sunset Boulevard</a>. <br /><div align="center"> </div><a href="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13812000/13812401_9032_625x625.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13812000/13812401_9032_625x625.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 604px;" /></a><strong>What are your favorite musicals, friends? Do you find yourself singing along like I do? xoxo</strong><br /><br />P.S. A new <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/search/label/Love%20Lounge">Love Lounge</a> is coming up soon! :)

Question of the Week: Question #22

I've been wanting to post about this subject for awhile now (here's a hint ), so I thought it would make a good topic for this week...

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Question of the Week: Question #21

<span style="font-style:italic;">Have a question? I'd love to hear it, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol) or ask me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/soaboutwhatisaid">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://www.twitter.com/melissablake">Twitter</a>, friends! Today's question comes to us from <a href="http://www.thestyleprojects.com/">Shardé</a>, who asks...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What are your top 3 favorite blogs?</span><br /><div align="center"> </div><a href="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13659500/13659964_23af_625x625.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13659500/13659964_23af_625x625.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 568px;" /></a>Here's a mind-boggling question: What did we do before we had blogs? It's hard to imagine now, but just a few years ago, our worlds were completely different. We didn't know the words blog, blogging or blogosphere. We couldn't wrap our heads around the idea that we could hit <span style="font-style:italic;">publish</span>, and within 10 minutes, our words could be read by people halfway around the world. And now, actually, we can't imagine our lives without these blogs. There are millions of blogs on millions of subjects -- everything from lifestyle blogs to mommy blogs to health blogs to entertainment blogs -- and we all read blogs for millions of different reasons. But, don't we all have a few favorites that we keep coming back to? Here are my top 3 favorite blogs...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2QXtqIMgNXkarQMMaI9LwjDVN8Xnzmub4TgjhMFaaxQchS3cu1__8_hbZ7_LuGzHfrmeAI2Vn0y1iLmK6ExqgNehvqrtTIh540oXgVErvEd6DQqGJfNh2fDS_87Zhwo7sBAQoI_mTyo/s1600/02.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732425472538155154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2QXtqIMgNXkarQMMaI9LwjDVN8Xnzmub4TgjhMFaaxQchS3cu1__8_hbZ7_LuGzHfrmeAI2Vn0y1iLmK6ExqgNehvqrtTIh540oXgVErvEd6DQqGJfNh2fDS_87Zhwo7sBAQoI_mTyo/s400/02.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 137px;" /></a><a href="http://dancingbranflakes.blogspot.com/">Dancing Branflakes</a>: Tiffany is such an inspiration and one of those genuinely sweet people who you feel like you could spill your secrets to. Plus, she posts the most mouth-watering recipes. Oh, and she let me <a href="http://dancingbranflakes.blogspot.com/2012/04/dating-men-and-being-wonder-woman.html">guest post</a> for her today too. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj686OgmBIviTYgkG8Pk-KyP_17Y9cPEp7EtgldRtahRxqrCONqrE6110ehKoOPXZMDbR3uIhwDSZKHMsHaNkM0aac9ey4P3PTZ3VQK0MR_bSz1sUUy6jfl4gw4A8K53C0Rl6ZwyIojgNw/s1600/03.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732425461498971154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj686OgmBIviTYgkG8Pk-KyP_17Y9cPEp7EtgldRtahRxqrCONqrE6110ehKoOPXZMDbR3uIhwDSZKHMsHaNkM0aac9ey4P3PTZ3VQK0MR_bSz1sUUy6jfl4gw4A8K53C0Rl6ZwyIojgNw/s400/03.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 74px;" /></a><a href="http://diana212m.blogspot.com/">exPress-o</a>: I've been reading Diana's blog for a few years now, and I love how she always has something new and interesting to share. And I love how she weaves her life into each post too. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeGVErO-QqS5-Gnt2jhIE9rSNFjCx2VIsHHKTqj7obL_GUvd_y7zMJ04kire9bHoJwJfa_aJ6McgbVQFZKUIV6n3va4TAMRFYhdOX6MYylvJgmJEhINj5l8tz_mZ1nSY9COumZxRgtVw/s1600/05.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732425469065344530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeGVErO-QqS5-Gnt2jhIE9rSNFjCx2VIsHHKTqj7obL_GUvd_y7zMJ04kire9bHoJwJfa_aJ6McgbVQFZKUIV6n3va4TAMRFYhdOX6MYylvJgmJEhINj5l8tz_mZ1nSY9COumZxRgtVw/s400/05.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 94px;" /></a><a href="http://www.brightboldbeautiful.com/">Bright, Bold & Beautiful</a>: Laura has a way of injecting life and vibrancy into every post. I come away from her blog feeling inspired, from her design posts to her Etsy finds. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1rgXpAiz7gHSR2dEfKRas-szAWQUdxmj-NIfTxA3oFu0hrIbLxYqaPye6wSWHD2ixvYkwiTjfh6UWJYAoJD5SkAQBj9uou5OUBRoW1RbENJDHlL7D-B5hJfuhkZYsRyyjoiS1p0zGX0/s1600/06.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5732426509252105714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1rgXpAiz7gHSR2dEfKRas-szAWQUdxmj-NIfTxA3oFu0hrIbLxYqaPye6wSWHD2ixvYkwiTjfh6UWJYAoJD5SkAQBj9uou5OUBRoW1RbENJDHlL7D-B5hJfuhkZYsRyyjoiS1p0zGX0/s400/06.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 318px;" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Now it's your turn, friends: What are your favorite blogs? Which ones do you visit regularly? What do you like about them? What keep you going back? xoxo</span><br /><br />[First and last photo via <a href="http://weheartit.com/">We Heart It</a>]

Question of the Week: Question #21

Have a question? I'd love to hear it, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol) or ask me on Facebook or Twitter , friends! Today...

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Question of the Week: Question #20

<span style="font-style:italic;">Have a question? I'd love to hear it, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol) or as me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/soaboutwhatisaid">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://www.twitter.com/melissablake">Twitter</a>, friends! Today's question comes to us from <a href="http://dancingbranflakes.blogspot.com/">Tiffany</a>, who asks...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">If you won the lotto, what would you buy?</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpWmjaB74IrUqzPsJeGsaal_47m5HUdMLk9bioAMeOhEtBqDJlLRjuoIY5Mq5FMWCeS-5Ll7783G4zyNN7ADDQBYsivqihyqoe2DG2J_1OuIgxKYPSQaoTyRnyPSYAbI5RlsgVxQerCg/s1600/02.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729840603185661218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpWmjaB74IrUqzPsJeGsaal_47m5HUdMLk9bioAMeOhEtBqDJlLRjuoIY5Mq5FMWCeS-5Ll7783G4zyNN7ADDQBYsivqihyqoe2DG2J_1OuIgxKYPSQaoTyRnyPSYAbI5RlsgVxQerCg/s400/02.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 223px;" /></a>Ooooh, the allure of the lottery. The simple idea that you could be the big winner? It can be so intoxicating, isn't it? The recent jackpot, which topped off at more than $600 million, had everyone green with envy. And I'll admit that my eyes were spinning like quarters and dimes and nickels at the possibilities. It would almost be like having the world at your fingertips. Here are the top 3 ways I'd divide my winnings...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRm6I9pBtWwDDe60hNB5_W0bOcbmBvfDd3OH9ZGuxduHcOH7Duk2I-nq1gjEZZ4dCc7r2HtC3qTV3Hirk6JYsVimkosDa1s5UpgTt51-WXDhZZNV6peDbDzGhxqxjvNTY2mK_bOmIH_A/s1600/01.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729817034542462962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRm6I9pBtWwDDe60hNB5_W0bOcbmBvfDd3OH9ZGuxduHcOH7Duk2I-nq1gjEZZ4dCc7r2HtC3qTV3Hirk6JYsVimkosDa1s5UpgTt51-WXDhZZNV6peDbDzGhxqxjvNTY2mK_bOmIH_A/s400/01.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEwV0IWGzub1gvN89kBR53xXihzFsK0A5eortUd5IUvjsvro-d637ThO4mo1QcU7sN4XAabmOSVwFAV9P3IDs9VgGMQUYWzjqfw1c9-9Ny9rA3AF5bPr4Ekxa8K5QjojRPqgwa6A6jhQ/s1600/02.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729817032064467410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEwV0IWGzub1gvN89kBR53xXihzFsK0A5eortUd5IUvjsvro-d637ThO4mo1QcU7sN4XAabmOSVwFAV9P3IDs9VgGMQUYWzjqfw1c9-9Ny9rA3AF5bPr4Ekxa8K5QjojRPqgwa6A6jhQ/s400/02.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">TRAVEL</span>: I used to love traveling, but haven't taken to the open road much since my father died. I'd love to take a classic road trip across the country. You know, the kind in an a <span style="font-style:italic;">huge</span> RV that we drive through the mountains, through the woods in and try not to roll off the bed as the highway rumbles below us. And a couple of my must-see spots throughout the world: These <a href="http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/news-glittering-crystal-caves-mlynki">glittering caves</a> in the Ukraine...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTRaMSlh_Kx8D7PR0xTn1SsVhXE8aWrjBp9jhg23TD2GDUXnbBgUxOG_mVgqS2PkjmDYGPKjgyPOyAK80e2pS-3Y1nLxm6iGfUHB7VXd0KBbZQKQwkrGei9-pvKA9-aS2jEvCRnymrtk/s1600/03.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729817028244407474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTRaMSlh_Kx8D7PR0xTn1SsVhXE8aWrjBp9jhg23TD2GDUXnbBgUxOG_mVgqS2PkjmDYGPKjgyPOyAK80e2pS-3Y1nLxm6iGfUHB7VXd0KBbZQKQwkrGei9-pvKA9-aS2jEvCRnymrtk/s400/03.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTkmhKMAw9-uEWbSZkSNOS-vkTRsOXc0l4LTMnXpXnr7gA7qR_MHvUEQJ0AWZlbZiJciAAYuXLSM9FRK4E1M7byvxolZMdlkcC4Mvj1_GZt0SJ_MKthaicFyQEJYFgo_imanHC1XzPcc/s1600/04.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729817024522067698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTkmhKMAw9-uEWbSZkSNOS-vkTRsOXc0l4LTMnXpXnr7gA7qR_MHvUEQJ0AWZlbZiJciAAYuXLSM9FRK4E1M7byvxolZMdlkcC4Mvj1_GZt0SJ_MKthaicFyQEJYFgo_imanHC1XzPcc/s400/04.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 279px;" /></a>...and this <a href="http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/panic-room-tilt-au-vieux-panier-paris">half-graffiti hotel room</a> in France. <br /><div align="center"> </div><a href="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13519000/13519447_c2f9_625x625.jpg"""><img alt="" border="0" src="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/13519000/13519447_c2f9_625x625.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 601px;" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">MOVE TO NEW YORK:</span>Some people had visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads when they were little. I've always had visions of The Big Apple. It was love at first sight when I visited the bustling city for the <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2010/03/remembering-my-dad.html">first time</a> in 2002. I picture myself in some sweeping penthouse toiling as a writer. Oh, and of course, I'd have to pay <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2012/03/new-tv-obsession-cake-boss.html">Buddy</a> a visit.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32e5T1YYLDwWyWfsytDUohGLxRdM2rSquexcDon9_um07R4zeJpkldmYSTf8Z7uE2W-oJb1W0AFtgQECS_1p0SLzbf0ekp_p7N4N69f1CLidrJkHf3Y1MX_Tzii1iOIasoOMY7Bp231Q/s1600/01.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729833176904482242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32e5T1YYLDwWyWfsytDUohGLxRdM2rSquexcDon9_um07R4zeJpkldmYSTf8Z7uE2W-oJb1W0AFtgQECS_1p0SLzbf0ekp_p7N4N69f1CLidrJkHf3Y1MX_Tzii1iOIasoOMY7Bp231Q/s400/01.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 64px;" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">CHARITY:</span> <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2009/11/national-survivors-of-suicide-day-part.html">Suicide</a> <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2009/11/national-survivors-of-suicide-day-part_19.html">prevention</a>, <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/search/label/depression">depression</a> and <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/search/label/Disability">my disability</a> are all causes that are near and dear to my heart. I would love to be involved with some organizations, like the <a href="http://www.afsp.org/">American Foundation For Suicide Prevention</a> or the <a href="http://www.nami.org/">National Alliance on Mental Illness</a>.<br /><br />My one rule: Use it wisely. There's that phrase, "The only thing worse than not getting what you want is…getting it." Money can change people, and this change isn't always for the better. I just never want to forget where I come from and just cast aside everything that matters the most to me. Like loved ones...and root beer. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">So, what do you think of my list, friends? What would you do if you won the lottery? What would be the first thing you'd do? Would you save the money or spend it right away? xoxo</span><br /><br />[Top photo via <a href="http://www.someecards.com/encouragement-cards/plenty-of-people-dont-win-the">Someecards</a> and photo of New York City via <a href="http://sunsurfer.tumblr.com/page/4">Sunsurfer</a>]

Question of the Week: Question #20

Have a question? I'd love to hear it, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol) or as me on Facebook or Twitter , friends! Today...

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Question of the Week: Question #19

<em>Have a question? I'd love to hear it, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol), friends! Today's question comes to us from a question asked in <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2011/10/memo-to-men-vulnerability-lesson.html">this post</a>...</em><br /><br /><strong>Do you have any male friends that you have absolutely no interest in physically but that you still love to hang out with? </strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMh_VgfFQpXXEbySXVhzd7zPvv-llcGgsjabNIa9Xlzt-1DWzEpA2EcuXaPGUO15bPnLT5IOQqwqCvdfbSQSQdVnbTDOW91hpojRJ-DjqYNmOIgXdlzHQXz0qIhVu5XzVDQMPNPheDO4/s1600/01.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727224847915132226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMh_VgfFQpXXEbySXVhzd7zPvv-llcGgsjabNIa9Xlzt-1DWzEpA2EcuXaPGUO15bPnLT5IOQqwqCvdfbSQSQdVnbTDOW91hpojRJ-DjqYNmOIgXdlzHQXz0qIhVu5XzVDQMPNPheDO4/s400/01.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></a>I've mused about <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2012/01/memo-to-men-girlfriend-vs-girl-friend.html">male-female friendships</a> before, but surprisingly, I've never really given it much thought in relation to myself. Honestly, the more that I think about it, the more I realize that I don't have any male friends. Sure, I've got my solid <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2012/03/question-of-week-question-17.html">girl group</a>, but I still haven't found the Billy Crystal to my Meg Ryan a la <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2011/10/love-lounge-what-if-your-life-were.html">When Harry Met Sally</a>.<br /><br />It's not like I've had some sort of traumatic experience in my past that has made me distrustful of guys. It's not like I haven't had positive encounters with them in the past. So is it that I simply can't relate to them? Am I afraid? I'm not all too sure.<br /><br />Actually, you'd think I'd be comfortable with the whole guy-girl dynamic by now thanks to my mom. She met her best friend, Bill, when she was 5 and he was 4. They lived in the same neighborhood and spent their days playing outside and going to each other's houses for summer picnic lunches in the backyard. Fast-forward 50 years, and they're still best friends. They've seen each other through college, through marriage, through that scary first job, through having children. Their relationship has always fascinated me because, well, no romantic feelings ever entered into the pictured for either one of them. Ever. I've asked my mom, "Didn't one of you ever fall for the other," and she always gives me this look -- a mixture of shock and awe -- as if I'd just uttered something so blasphemous that she's been rendered speechless.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtQXb1wAOO9xlj3c4wV_rRos87nJgRK04js2J4eUIQwIMct8baSDzXvqnHWXqCKX7TzPSlFCpisHWJY1nDzN0uTopKfC9J1bSbvwJSlkGqHX0bwROKrM0LlPHPNwW7RHE3XATopn3Tog/s1600/02.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727224840688266338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtQXb1wAOO9xlj3c4wV_rRos87nJgRK04js2J4eUIQwIMct8baSDzXvqnHWXqCKX7TzPSlFCpisHWJY1nDzN0uTopKfC9J1bSbvwJSlkGqHX0bwROKrM0LlPHPNwW7RHE3XATopn3Tog/s400/02.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a>But their friendship? It worked -- for half a century and counting! So, they must be doing something right. Maybe I should take a cue from them? It would give me great insight into the male mind...<br /><br /><strong>Ladies, I'd love to know: Do you have male friends? What do you like about having them in your life? How did you meet? Do you think it's inevitable that emotions will get in the way, or can men and women really be <em>just friends</em>?</strong><br /><br />[Photos via <a href="http://weheartit.com/">We Heart It</a>]

Question of the Week: Question #19

Have a question? I'd love to hear it, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol), friends! Today's question comes to us from a q...

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Question of the Week: Question #18

<em>Have a question? I'd love to hear it, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol), friends! Today's question comes to us from <a href="http://www.whoamanaroundtown.blogspot.com">Shannon</a>, who asks...</em><br /><br /><strong>You have mentioned in past blogs that you don't drink. I was wondering, is that for medical reasons, social stigma, or just because you don't like it? Have you ever drank before? Do people in your family drink?</strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9iQzw6DQtkath0Q37onMG5t_nP-5SXwfrvh-OqhGBBP5VCetelN3cLu3hFYPUG4EFvLIHxpxR1QiUKJv1KS7b5dzXp26iM73izz5duRze5T8Z3bg2_uRCt4LiFEWEdZhNaGO82LM2B8/s1600/aa.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5724571453898339410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9iQzw6DQtkath0Q37onMG5t_nP-5SXwfrvh-OqhGBBP5VCetelN3cLu3hFYPUG4EFvLIHxpxR1QiUKJv1KS7b5dzXp26iM73izz5duRze5T8Z3bg2_uRCt4LiFEWEdZhNaGO82LM2B8/s400/aa.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></a>The short answer: No. I don't not drink for medical reasons. I don't not drink because I'm a recovering alcoholic. Truth be told, I've never drank before. I know that's not the most popular answer for someone my age, but honestly? I've never understood the allure of drinking. There are too many instances where said drinking has gone beyond what would be considered social drinking and into the danger zone -- the kind that leave you stumbling and mumbling and running off to Las Vegas looking for the next available Elvis impersonator. What is appealing about that? I'd much rather wake up in the morning and remember what happened the night before than have zero recollection of anything. That would terrify me. Yes, some may think this is being a <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2008/12/my-confession-i-am-prude.html">prude</a>, but I suppose what is comes down to is not wanting to lose that control that comes with alcohol-induced inhibition. Because, really, you can enjoy anything just as well sober as you can when you've kicked back a few -- is that the correct term?<br /><br />Now don't get me wrong. I'll be the first to admit that I've developed my share of vices in my 30 years. At the top of my list is that pesky little devil known as retail therapy. It's evil, I tell you, pure evil. In fact, I'll be indulging in it today. I can shop with the best of them. So I suppose we all have our unhealthy habits, don't we? I guess drinking has just never been one of mine. Besides, being less than 4-feet tall, it probably wouldn't take too much to get me tipsy... xoxo<br /><br />[Photo via <a href="http://leloveimage.blogspot.com/2012/03/choose-you.html">Le Love</a>]

Question of the Week: Question #18

Have a question? I'd love to hear it, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol), friends! Today's question comes to us from Sha...

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Question of the Week: Question #17

<em>We've talked about <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2011/11/would-you-rather-have-large-circle-of.html">friendship</a> before, friends, but today, I'd love to get a little more personal on the subject. Several of you have asked about my social life, so I hope you enjoy this <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/search/label/Newspaper%20Columns">newspaper column</a> on my nearest and dearest friends. And as always, got a question? I'd love to hear from you, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol)!</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2HhsYlu5eNh12NIEsNUsLSNeMn0Q0IzT_KDgyVGKLgroD2eiCUpXP8r8eDZet8Nho5aJnvJqDHY7SCpCUJQs0Uv2bYTitGF19LVLABAnUvld7993YQiWFpxSfmZDjpf3e6GaJcpwkoI/s1600/aa.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722042030839315954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv2HhsYlu5eNh12NIEsNUsLSNeMn0Q0IzT_KDgyVGKLgroD2eiCUpXP8r8eDZet8Nho5aJnvJqDHY7SCpCUJQs0Uv2bYTitGF19LVLABAnUvld7993YQiWFpxSfmZDjpf3e6GaJcpwkoI/s400/aa.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a>I’ve never in my life been a social butterfly. I tend to fly in the peripheral unlike one of my oldest friends, Amanda. She can walk into a room and instantly draw the spotlight to herself. She’s friendly without being overbearing, funny without being over-the-top and yet still sensitive without being patronizing. She’s my authentic, genuine friend. What you see is what you get with Amanda. Every time. <br /><br />Leave it to our friends never to disappear, to always be there, even if <em>there</em> is a park bench or a penthouse at the Four Seasons – or maybe even if <em>there</em> is a conversation over instant message or email. <br /><br />With a little help from our friends, we can achieve big things. But are some friends just naturally equipped to brave the world with you in different situations? <br /><br />Lucky for me, I have a Rolodex of buddies. It didn’t take me long to mentally fortify my legion for life’s battles, big and small.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOw4GSfvdlY46vCqxlwaGxqnNdS9tQjmEme8srGajdiqtzkI-1ynoI3nzzbS-ubvyIOb0qPtfPd4s-pfO3mYqrNvjz0pteFVFT5qsBwp__P13hOV13_fBKTjIE35jBFGKmpLaXOW53Pqc/s1600/aa2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722042033863815842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOw4GSfvdlY46vCqxlwaGxqnNdS9tQjmEme8srGajdiqtzkI-1ynoI3nzzbS-ubvyIOb0qPtfPd4s-pfO3mYqrNvjz0pteFVFT5qsBwp__P13hOV13_fBKTjIE35jBFGKmpLaXOW53Pqc/s400/aa2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;" /></a><strong>The Forever (“I knew you when….”) Friend</strong><br />Brandy’s been my partner in crime for 21 years. We grew up best friends, but felt like sisters. She saw me through the little things like the time she sat at my bedside and played hours of Monopoly with me after a surgery, feeling unglamorous and nervous about starting high school in two weeks. She also saw me through the big things like the month after my father died when she stayed at my house, a time when the only thing that made me smile was seeing her sprint around in the mornings wearing her olive-green alligator slippers. She indulges me in my quirks (<em>I’ve worn the same mint-green sweater for 10 years</em>) and I overlook her eccentricities (<em>she refuses to leave voicemail messages</em>). But it all works for us. <br /><br /><strong>The “Where we left off” Friend</strong><br />Something tells me it was fate that brought Sam into my life. She was a cute 4-year-old when she knocked on our apartment door and asked my mom if she could help take care of me. I was still a baby at the time, and my mother had just broken her leg. Little did we know Sam would become like family to us. Our lives have taken a heap-load of twists and turns, but when we get together, all the puzzle pieces just naturally fall into place again. We still have that connection. It feels as if we’d never left each other, but instead just picked up right where we left off. And now, she has two beautiful daughter of her own.<br /><br /><strong>The Uplifting Friend</strong><br />My friend Jalyn is, hands down, the most genuine, caring person I know. She’s the one who never misses a birthday (<em>especially her own</em>). She’s the one who, five years after my father’s death, isn’t afraid to say she misses him. She’s the one who never shies away from a hug. In a world of pent-up, isolated people, Jalyn is the ray of sunshine in my sometimes-cloudy life. She's always ready with a smile and a deck of Elvis playing cards for a mean game of War. But instead of the game ending in competitive bitterness, it never fails to end in laughter and plenty of smiles. <br /><br /><strong>The Talk-Late-Into-The-Night/Over-Breakfast Friend</strong><br />Another one of my oldest friends, Claire, has a knack for making me spill my guts when the sun goes down. I can tell her things I could never admit to anyone else, and she instinctively <em>gets it</em>. It doesn’t hurt that we have the same wacky, Seinfeldish sense of humor or the fact that our families eerily mirror each other. We can talk for hours, about everything from our secret dreams of becoming a detective duo to analyzing (<em>and overanalyzing</em>) our interactions with crazy boys. I really should thank Claire for the free therapy! Or she should at least start charging me an hourly fee!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuAyddjU0AScRiFs701uBju-GXaTBilJMPJXWo8skJqvyqjWXCg6M0MRN2-wRFwbcNeINhZ_JkR1pQGuggjhVxsAbipK3ghGnYgLB68Md3VD5dZeG4a_pTy6i8gDS09VCovRKnLsLYwg/s1600/aa3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722042029095039058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZuAyddjU0AScRiFs701uBju-GXaTBilJMPJXWo8skJqvyqjWXCg6M0MRN2-wRFwbcNeINhZ_JkR1pQGuggjhVxsAbipK3ghGnYgLB68Md3VD5dZeG4a_pTy6i8gDS09VCovRKnLsLYwg/s400/aa3.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" /></a><strong>Your friends are always out there, waiting for that phone call or email or text. Who’s on your Dream Team? I’d love to hear about them!</strong><br /><br />[Photos via <a href="http://audreyhepburncomplex.tumblr.com/">Audrey Hepburn Complex</a>]

Question of the Week: Question #17

We've talked about friendship before, friends, but today, I'd love to get a little more personal on the subject. Several of you hav...

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Question of the Week: Question #16

<em>Well, friends, I came up with this week's question myself after I looked into the mailbag and discovered it was empty! I'd love to hear from you, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol)!</em><br /><br /><strong>How do you deal with irrational fears?</strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhLbUDK4yJ9x8NkMv51LhmocpSGahqwKocuiCMKoJifStUSZihq3o2DHAN2pFguxKybYP9cyT9kWsvseLkVnkeUch85cjW9VYdq8SjxRtqAXlxxRiP3Vi08WVqI77SHPBYG8CjiWo8tA/s1600/aa.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716853758157287714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhLbUDK4yJ9x8NkMv51LhmocpSGahqwKocuiCMKoJifStUSZihq3o2DHAN2pFguxKybYP9cyT9kWsvseLkVnkeUch85cjW9VYdq8SjxRtqAXlxxRiP3Vi08WVqI77SHPBYG8CjiWo8tA/s400/aa.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a>Irrational fears.<br /> <br />Two words. Fifteen letters. The two words don’t even look like they belong together, do they? If a fear is irrational, there is no way it should hold so much power over us. We know it’s irrational. And what’s more, a fear is just that: A fear. A fear of something that might happen, but hasn’t yet.<br /><br />Remember when I last wrote about <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2010/09/irrational-fears.html">irrational fears</a>? You know, the kind that seem to linger longer than a pesky hang nail and leave you exhausted from a bit of over-obsessing. <br /><br />When we were kids, we might have been afraid to go to sleep because of monsters. We looked for them under our bed, in our closet or sitting on the branches of a tree outside our window. We’d even seek reassurance from our parents – the rational ones – who would be positive that no such monsters were haunting us. We had proof in the empty closets and lonely tree branches, but sometimes the proof isn’t in the pudding – or in this case, a lack of monster sightings. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLId6YkhvUXe02ehIV2H4_ZKb9BpRoTIToB6QHG_N0rvFyryZ4AqFIykjiLEOGC2tb2O3Pb9UAEI9vpMwQFai4J_GOKj7PPmyKju6hNypXEIRPobHJtamShhvSHItNeOO8jC_TXCLLAs/s1600/aa2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716853757035686626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLId6YkhvUXe02ehIV2H4_ZKb9BpRoTIToB6QHG_N0rvFyryZ4AqFIykjiLEOGC2tb2O3Pb9UAEI9vpMwQFai4J_GOKj7PPmyKju6hNypXEIRPobHJtamShhvSHItNeOO8jC_TXCLLAs/s400/aa2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></a>Sometimes those fears still linger. Even when we’re adults. That’s sort of how I’ve come to see these irrational fears that keep popping up in my head. These fears are like our childhood fear of monsters. Just because I can’t see the fear up-close-and-personal doesn’t make it any less real. <br /><br />Our adult-equivalent of monsters could be anything: Job stress, health woes, relationship tension. These fears, whether rational or not, are very real. We picture them jumping out and scaring us. <br /><br />Ever the curious person that I am (<em>and looking for ways to rein in my fears</em>), I did the only logical thing: I took my question to Facebook. Who better to give me advice than my friends? Some said to remember to keep on breathing (<em>always a good idea, especially with everything in life</em>). Some reminded me to think of happy thoughts. Others said to do something like exercising or enjoying a new hobby and always remembering to live in the present moment. <br /><br />And someone even said, “I scream, then kill them because they are usually bugs with eight legs."<br /><br />I’ll admit it. That one did make me laugh. Maybe we can rein these fears in together? How do you beat those monsters, friends? xoxo<br /><br />[Photos via <a href="http://audreyhepburncomplex.tumblr.com/">Audrey Hepburn Complex</a>]

Question of the Week: Question #16

Well, friends, I came up with this week's question myself after I looked into the mailbag and discovered it was empty! I'd love to h...

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Question of the Week: Question #15

<em>Last week, I posted half of the recent interview I had with the lovely Sarah of <a href="http://www.yesandyes.org/">Yes and Yes</a>. She interviewed me for her True Story series, and I'd love to share the rest of my answers with you today, friends! I hope you enjoy it, and as always, feel free to send me your own questions to mellow1422 [at] aol [dot] com, or leave them in the comments below! xoxo</em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbt72uuJHv1BwWIK6WoaQ6P78xA1c2Pd_WKEFlol-qLuCu_d5KdzA3yz1a1hnTm-l3B7M62wZCY2BbNygSP5erbUhrwFcWjIINJamAXzYqtxF29K7UsYg4W9hv9KMiY2M4chh5waSivU/s1600/aa.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714238034454439202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbt72uuJHv1BwWIK6WoaQ6P78xA1c2Pd_WKEFlol-qLuCu_d5KdzA3yz1a1hnTm-l3B7M62wZCY2BbNygSP5erbUhrwFcWjIINJamAXzYqtxF29K7UsYg4W9hv9KMiY2M4chh5waSivU/s400/aa.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a><strong>What are the biggest misconceptions about disability and dating? </strong><br />Definitely that women with disabilities aren't interested in dating. Sometimes, people forget that we're just like them. Maybe they think that we have "more important things to worry about," but we want love just like anyone else. <br /><br /><strong>How have the people in your life reacted to your dating life? </strong><br />Actually, people in my life haven't ever been very vocal about my dating life. I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing. Thank goodness, no one has ever said anything offensive. Maybe they didn't see me making a big deal about my dating life and took their cue from me. I've found with my disability that if people don't know what to say, then they don't say anything at all. And honestly, I'd rather have them ask than not ask. It's not like I have some big secret that I don't want to talk about. <br /><br /><strong>What advice would you give to anybody in a similar situation? </strong><br />Be honest. Be true to yourself. My parents raised me with the belief that I could do anything, and it's that sense of independence that has made me reach for so many things in life. Yes, there are obstacles in my way because of my disability, but I don't let them stop me. I'm grateful for all their encouragement.<br /><br />[Photo via <a href="http://www.leloveimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/gift-to-be-loved-by-you.html">Le Love</a>]

Question of the Week: Question #15

Last week, I posted half of the recent interview I had with the lovely Sarah of Yes and Yes . She interviewed me for her True Story series, ...

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Question of the Week: Question #14

<span style="font-style:italic;">Today's question is more of a series of questions from Sarah of <a href="http://www.yesandyes.org/">Yes and Yes</a>. She recently asked me half a dozen questions for her interview series, and I thought you'd like a little peek at my answers, friends. Here are the first three questions. Look for the other three next week. xoxo</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGIFxiaMic5u_rrIm7CPhWgX8Yb20069LUw0EweeVb8kYR6w5uI7-GB4-CAiFau5rMiXcXUxd8b1DOt8I5KfWExoOmFo0Eg0yBhN120XrYCFAUSQA9BPVIM9VoAHR0n4o9eqvAn7n-28/s1600/01.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711613747663827394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGIFxiaMic5u_rrIm7CPhWgX8Yb20069LUw0EweeVb8kYR6w5uI7-GB4-CAiFau5rMiXcXUxd8b1DOt8I5KfWExoOmFo0Eg0yBhN120XrYCFAUSQA9BPVIM9VoAHR0n4o9eqvAn7n-28/s400/01.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 314px;" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Can you tell us a bit about your disability?</span><br />I was born with <a href="http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/freeman-sheldon-syndrome">Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome</a>, a bone and muscular disorder. I've had about 26 surgeries to correct my bones and joints. Despite my disability, I've lead a pretty normal life: Graduated from college with a degree in journalism and now working as an adviser for a college newspaper. I enjoy getting young people excited about journalism and writing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">How does your disability affect your dating life? </span><br />Of anything in my life, my disability has affected my dating life the most. I'm usually a pretty self-confident person, but when it comes to dating, I've always been a bit self-conscious. I often worry that guys won't be able to see past my disability.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tell us about your dream guy! </span><br />Oh, definitely someone who can make me laugh. Laughter is one of the most important things in life, and any guy with a sense of humor has my heart. I'm also a romantic at heart, so I love guys who are romantic and charming. My family mean the world to me, and you know a guy is a keeper if he's close with his family. <br /><br />[Photo via <a href="http://www.leloveimage.blogspot.com/2012/02/read-between-lines.html">Le Love</a>]

Question of the Week: Question #14

Today's question is more of a series of questions from Sarah of Yes and Yes . She recently asked me half a dozen questions for her inter...

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Question of the Week: Question #13

<em>Well, friends, I came up with this week's question myself after I looked into the mailbag and discovered it was empty! I'd love to hear from you, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol)!</em><br /><br /><strong>Do you remember your dreams?</strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjf1uhAzXRg7GcbSFZSgSqp3xBZW_Af1Pmrjg8YXPE9gTYdhWX-LhBhCGoQSUf5BdnzIJLeEtadgAVMFv0IpBgBf0fXIc1jA4w7DQw2iubevhIqjvOitq_z6wP5egYMoGFUUzRrZS4dA/s1600/01.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706417945083256722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjf1uhAzXRg7GcbSFZSgSqp3xBZW_Af1Pmrjg8YXPE9gTYdhWX-LhBhCGoQSUf5BdnzIJLeEtadgAVMFv0IpBgBf0fXIc1jA4w7DQw2iubevhIqjvOitq_z6wP5egYMoGFUUzRrZS4dA/s400/01.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" /></a>Dreams are a funny thing, aren't they? They can seem so real and powerful when we're having them. They can be dreamy and magical and fantastical and whimsical -- almost like a fairytale come to life. And yet, they can also resemble nightmares, full of ghosts and ghouls so scary that you wake up screaming and shaking.<br /><br />I've had both types of dreams. While I don't always remember the specific parts of my dreams, I always know if they're good or bad, usually <em>as</em> I'm dreaming (<em>spooking, huh?</em>). What I find really interesting, though, is how my disability figures into these dreams -- or, well, how it <em>doesn't</em> fit into them. I'm never in a wheelchair in my dreams. Ever. In fact, I don't even notice the absence of my wheelchair. I was just going about my normal life.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPT3Rz7_j1li_9Mm05AmNNkaXHu1JT4Bq8vZ6x3lfuJhiV3fx7KmkjlpAhQ9G6OQHYttohQerqw4BXiMRZt8ntrObbJRrxYmlXyyW31TbnXfj1-1TA-fbs30vSixZWXIVjrgcL6zmcXw/s1600/02.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706417940318433714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPT3Rz7_j1li_9Mm05AmNNkaXHu1JT4Bq8vZ6x3lfuJhiV3fx7KmkjlpAhQ9G6OQHYttohQerqw4BXiMRZt8ntrObbJRrxYmlXyyW31TbnXfj1-1TA-fbs30vSixZWXIVjrgcL6zmcXw/s400/02.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" /></a>My mom once told me about a dream she had where we were in a giant park. It must have been the summer because we were surrounded by green grass, and it was a beautiful, clear day. In the distance, she saw me running. I was free. Nothing was holding me back. I wasn't disabled. I wasn't in a wheelchair. I was just running and laughing. I could tell the dream was pretty bittersweet for her, which it was for me too, but it sure made me think.<br /><br />I'm still undecided as to whether dreams have psychological meaning. I was only a few classes short of a psychology minor in college, so I like to think I know a bit about the human mind (<em>the sexiest body part, remember...?</em>), and I sometimes wonder if we're not trying to work things out in our dreams. Was my mother trying to come to terms with my disability when she dreamed of me running? <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSO9obZj0VgHBcKZ8WBwzCQO0myy4KZIwn6EP7zpgfkRggvjfVytZOAKOKxHU48uhezh3KWD3ic4WM4SXL305xNc20jDAgBuzYZJ9rOb-IbH_VD9T3tjSW65S-KA7u1U1LgQsrEdfSMs8/s1600/01.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706419372881683986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSO9obZj0VgHBcKZ8WBwzCQO0myy4KZIwn6EP7zpgfkRggvjfVytZOAKOKxHU48uhezh3KWD3ic4WM4SXL305xNc20jDAgBuzYZJ9rOb-IbH_VD9T3tjSW65S-KA7u1U1LgQsrEdfSMs8/s400/01.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 293px;" /></a><strong>What about you, friends? Do certain themes tend to repeat themselves in your dreams? Do you think dreams have deeper meaning? Or do we just read too much into them? What was your last dream? Was it scary? Let's chat! xoxo</strong><br /><br />[Photos via <a href="http://weheartit.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&query=dreams">We Heart It</a>]

Question of the Week: Question #13

Well, friends, I came up with this week's question myself after I looked into the mailbag and discovered it was empty! I'd love to h...

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Question of the Week: Question #12

<span style="font-style:italic;">Have a question? I'd love to hear it, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol), friends! Today's question comes to us from <a href="http://dancingbranflakes.blogspot.com/">Tiffany</a>, who asks...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Where do you see yourself in 20 years?</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34BWbCiMtl6HwQO-02cbg8pHQXPjQV7gRCMF_qmXAvktFaLgqGRNnIEk_P_BvnbkAkZH2HySqKYXQepNXgSV0YHfGyclp8PouYntgfwzxtoEzIIGJKAVVbRZlxLCpmaee8ybMb8krDqM/s1600/01.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703855010907676498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34BWbCiMtl6HwQO-02cbg8pHQXPjQV7gRCMF_qmXAvktFaLgqGRNnIEk_P_BvnbkAkZH2HySqKYXQepNXgSV0YHfGyclp8PouYntgfwzxtoEzIIGJKAVVbRZlxLCpmaee8ybMb8krDqM/s400/01.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a>I've always loved the movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088763/">Back To The Future</a>. It got me thinking about both the past and the future. And then after thinking about <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2012/01/letters-to-my-future-husband-letter-149.html">how far I've come</a> yesterday, this is the perfect time to think about the future, isn't it? Truthfully, I've always been a bit scared of the future. You all know by now that change and I aren't exactly the best of friends. Honestly, I sort of fear change, probably because I only think of it in terms of bad change. I've been so conditioned to brace myself for all the bad things that change will eventually bring that I've all but closed myself off to the possibility of good change. So it's been a struggle sometimes to see the silver lining in change, to see that good things -- even wonderful things -- can come from change. It's crazy to think that in 20 years, I'll be 50; maybe that will be the new 30? It will be the year 2032, which just sounds completely crazy to me. I see myself still writing, of course. I'd love to live in the Big Apple, maybe writing for a magazine (<span style="font-style:italic;">will magazines still exist?</span>) or working on a book. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-akx3R0nTvmPZE6pm3aPRz-0KieCvWl-NPoIil88BuOtO6cxqqZlAgz1_yv9tZOGw4ioFcASizNcpQ1OwS35nx7BKilbrbqi-rtRlgjTynRh5LsFnW2wbxJL_oaZ96hvq8gRx-qrWOk/s1600/02.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703855840115398946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-akx3R0nTvmPZE6pm3aPRz-0KieCvWl-NPoIil88BuOtO6cxqqZlAgz1_yv9tZOGw4ioFcASizNcpQ1OwS35nx7BKilbrbqi-rtRlgjTynRh5LsFnW2wbxJL_oaZ96hvq8gRx-qrWOk/s400/02.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a>That's the practical side of me. The impractical dreamer in me? She wants to have her own talk show. How fun would that be? I can see myself musing about anything and everything!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What about you, friends? Where do you see yourself in 2032? Have you even thought about it? Do you worry about the future? Do you look forward to it? xoxo</span><br /><br />P.S. Here are <a href="http://whatculture.com/film/52-reasons-why-back-to-the-future-might-just-be-the-greatest-film-of-all-time.php">52 reasons why Back To The Future rocks</a>!<br /><br />[Bottom photo via <a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/22183177">We Heart It</a>]

Question of the Week: Question #12

Have a question? I'd love to hear it, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol), friends! Today's question comes to us from Tif...

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Question of the Week: Question #11

<em>Have a question? I'd love to hear it, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol), friends! Today's question comes to us from <a href="http://www.andahomecomingqueen.com/">Jamie</a>, who asks...</em><br /><br /><strong>What's on your DVR?</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0500XW2QVkIjmPN5vBfnNLxEeqJJ9UPe-IjcS4s1wB0C_gaOv5i9M039FNOWkUamGohWlqSjo5nrQigxmFjmMwwuiA1aZ9pbT8w5KkMGwzZBfj96VWgOvosH5gSjUIzcDnzBCjozPeV8/s1600/aa.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701269351372619042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0500XW2QVkIjmPN5vBfnNLxEeqJJ9UPe-IjcS4s1wB0C_gaOv5i9M039FNOWkUamGohWlqSjo5nrQigxmFjmMwwuiA1aZ9pbT8w5KkMGwzZBfj96VWgOvosH5gSjUIzcDnzBCjozPeV8/s400/aa.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 223px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYPKveXEf061HXPln6XkKEhDE50a33RjnCOk_0Zmgok9THCQ_nfo44uQsBHAhRnbA9wYTsQhwTR4eaYL1herZBGpCchIHEZkUQS2zCYALp_ZZazHg9cVWAYQl1E2E0y2VZlyXKfMkaP0/s1600/aa2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701269348018750034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYPKveXEf061HXPln6XkKEhDE50a33RjnCOk_0Zmgok9THCQ_nfo44uQsBHAhRnbA9wYTsQhwTR4eaYL1herZBGpCchIHEZkUQS2zCYALp_ZZazHg9cVWAYQl1E2E0y2VZlyXKfMkaP0/s400/aa2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 223px;" /></a>Confession: I love TV. No, I <em>love</em> TV. I always have. It started with <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2011/10/what-were-your-favorite-television.html">Sesame Street</a>, back in the days when I was learning the alphabet and The Count was teaching all about numbers. Then I went through my Disney Channel and Nickelodeon phase. Now, friends, I'm referring to the classic heyday of these channels in the '90s. I watched <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086744/">Kids' Incorporated</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096641/">MMC</a> religiously after school (<a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2009/08/man-candy-monday_24.html">Ryan</a> <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2011/08/daily-affirmation-50.html">Gosling</a>, <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2011/10/feminist-ryan-gosling.html">anyone</a>?).<br /><br />And when we got a DVR a few years ago, I felt like I'd hit the jackpot in Vegas. I now had 100 hours at my disposal to record anything and everything my little pop-culture-loving heart desired. Here's a little round-up of some of the shows I'm loving these days (<em>and one show that got cancelled too soon...</em>)...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxxTJiJkwSA5HlnIhHouOcGcq6c27PTm7G1KQQZseOvyl9Sb9jIW1Oa6mHFOIRXcXjwTR8CWJS3VQdTntN17KMPnTH-meC4FZP2HQCZ47XDWMGclFTd6Oj5Fd0QLIJtTM3grsOBsqPNo/s1600/aa3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701269346855447986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxxTJiJkwSA5HlnIhHouOcGcq6c27PTm7G1KQQZseOvyl9Sb9jIW1Oa6mHFOIRXcXjwTR8CWJS3VQdTntN17KMPnTH-meC4FZP2HQCZ47XDWMGclFTd6Oj5Fd0QLIJtTM3grsOBsqPNo/s400/aa3.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 284px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmphfi72hHgqd6LIb9cht9cQsoPYowDaJl7n0cS6D9e4HSylf_yRUeM9UVAsPbILDGygIwGQW6LuK6X73ioMt_2HzSmoGcHwEmrV5JUlZE7EHSQQ9odxPZMayAyxW9jB4DoklLaNZQPs/s1600/aa4.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701268901707296066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmphfi72hHgqd6LIb9cht9cQsoPYowDaJl7n0cS6D9e4HSylf_yRUeM9UVAsPbILDGygIwGQW6LuK6X73ioMt_2HzSmoGcHwEmrV5JUlZE7EHSQQ9odxPZMayAyxW9jB4DoklLaNZQPs/s400/aa4.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_d9Ffd1oXKQDliZpIqz1YUGRmOPMnP2OVVj-_BkwTzqHZI3J6BcokiU9r-UhOttNNguj-puZ3dgqzS7Zx3E8kwr12DBa5fH_5CnSvEhq6L-NWYUUNPtg4KTV1sNI_cWImOk_3iYsHKIU/s1600/aa5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701268903180538930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_d9Ffd1oXKQDliZpIqz1YUGRmOPMnP2OVVj-_BkwTzqHZI3J6BcokiU9r-UhOttNNguj-puZ3dgqzS7Zx3E8kwr12DBa5fH_5CnSvEhq6L-NWYUUNPtg4KTV1sNI_cWImOk_3iYsHKIU/s400/aa5.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyh_77ouLB1lqXv_w74h84iRTJTayopZYjCK7-s_JxkKUnrgMfAq3s1IH6HDkACT93CSRLD2d7OfuDFAxWO_N3dAyXSF6MB51ZXqzwNOrHQrM64uv8xgfhRbxwPIXOZoQZMnNCfxdoryQ/s1600/aa6.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701268893020939042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyh_77ouLB1lqXv_w74h84iRTJTayopZYjCK7-s_JxkKUnrgMfAq3s1IH6HDkACT93CSRLD2d7OfuDFAxWO_N3dAyXSF6MB51ZXqzwNOrHQrM64uv8xgfhRbxwPIXOZoQZMnNCfxdoryQ/s400/aa6.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 259px;" /></a><a href="http://www.cwtv.com/shows/gossip-girl">Gossip Girl</a> and <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fabcfamily.go.com%2Fshows%2Fpretty-little-liars&ei=VeweT5riE4XZqgGln6DQDQ&usg=AFQjCNFggU1p3uiN-sZ1thCpPCRgrctnIQ">Pretty Little Liars</a> are the perfect guilty pleasures. Plus, I can live vicariously through all that Upper East Side drama. But more on my love of <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2009/09/what-gossip-girl-taught-me-about-love.html">Chuck Bass</a> later. :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCU7hefd3jfEGN00VoAr3x_q5m_Cm2Hb_Rcy4OOAVvb66Rcp79v7G1z09QSBIhUbrUe5Hze_mo2Hl7dydAjcUHW5CZZ5Ezt3oI4SzVzWt7FiQHB4QfQSOLSBL_3IdSWFNsIqvllQAh3A/s1600/aa7.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701268891776145906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCU7hefd3jfEGN00VoAr3x_q5m_Cm2Hb_Rcy4OOAVvb66Rcp79v7G1z09QSBIhUbrUe5Hze_mo2Hl7dydAjcUHW5CZZ5Ezt3oI4SzVzWt7FiQHB4QfQSOLSBL_3IdSWFNsIqvllQAh3A/s400/aa7.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 233px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0P2OPjBqvJseBYr5oH8HXuRXDEjTYn2An2pYRXPyyenDzFw6tUbptTpvK2s3GR2dTBGjeQAarEJAo0UQrtV2NjRQXsAbcU6-8kywVscjpzckjm0g8Z5smX-LZOljDWfwDu1f1oYMptbs/s1600/aa8.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701268889784614562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0P2OPjBqvJseBYr5oH8HXuRXDEjTYn2An2pYRXPyyenDzFw6tUbptTpvK2s3GR2dTBGjeQAarEJAo0UQrtV2NjRQXsAbcU6-8kywVscjpzckjm0g8Z5smX-LZOljDWfwDu1f1oYMptbs/s400/aa8.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" /></a><a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDMQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amctv.com%2Fshows%2Fmad-men&ei=iOweT4T3EIm8qgHBtOnPDQ&usg=AFQjCNFk4JlCVmy8j6Hu1U8kSByE_3tYrA">Mad Men</a> and <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CD0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fabc.go.com%2Fshows%2Fpan-am&ei=peweT4CWD4LlqgHm_fHPDQ&usg=AFQjCNGABVPc6WVQWON5Bxi3xfvP-c3JgA">Pan Am</a> are fantastic period dramas. I've always loved shows that span years and years and incorporate the life and culture of the time period into the storylines.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxxGcmcppPFtcRUfjU3bRKJcTNAYEakuAe9oBehHzKo1FiC6VE3kLXv8uB7vFiB1Sbt-Vp7eG-ucmydnAE4SgXqnVq9R2KOtAL0bUNeddfuehLJpy138iP1UYreAfD8PmMXeqkjO8RZc/s1600/aa.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701271731593605650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxxGcmcppPFtcRUfjU3bRKJcTNAYEakuAe9oBehHzKo1FiC6VE3kLXv8uB7vFiB1Sbt-Vp7eG-ucmydnAE4SgXqnVq9R2KOtAL0bUNeddfuehLJpy138iP1UYreAfD8PmMXeqkjO8RZc/s400/aa.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_qKsFXU0aUByVyoFWMHxw4j8wsmQ7JiL7b3Sg7QnOIRfnla3MQ6PKIvaoCRMm-2gIWxRLlD8i22x4t50DPLuISSTrNwYbDYyrew_lLr-5xYscjBHCgeCSlHoodLMsLZbm5gkxxB6_xM/s1600/aa2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701271724703784514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_qKsFXU0aUByVyoFWMHxw4j8wsmQ7JiL7b3Sg7QnOIRfnla3MQ6PKIvaoCRMm-2gIWxRLlD8i22x4t50DPLuISSTrNwYbDYyrew_lLr-5xYscjBHCgeCSlHoodLMsLZbm5gkxxB6_xM/s400/aa2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" /></a><a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CDAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbs.com%2Fprimetime%2Fhow_i_met_your_mother%2F&ei=Hu0eT_K_N4KFrgHFjd3SDQ&usg=AFQjCNFFKNlo77IEQVkJE-Vn4_3fFXhM0g">How I Met Your Mother</a> and <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDoQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbs.com%2Fprimetime%2Fbig_bang_theory%2F&ei=Ze0eT8beEsPYqgGqic3PDQ&usg=AFQjCNFXoXiRJV4gzNCGuq_3w67Z1GyY9A">The Big Bang Theory</a> are just all around feel-good shows. How I Met Your Mother actually inspired <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/search/label/Letters%20to%20my%20future%20husband">Letters To My Future Husband</a>, and who doesn't love <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2009/03/man-candy-monday.html">Sheldon Cooper</a>?<br /><div align="center"> </div><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6756062563_4630f0761b_o.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6756062563_4630f0761b_o.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 412px;" /></a>And....<a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CD0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Ftitle%2Ftt0319930%2F&ei=eO8eT7ngIIbOqgGfovnPDQ&usg=AFQjCNHNxKNRN5G8cZf6saS9igDTvZYcEg">American Dreams</a> is one of my all-time favorite shows that got cancelled too early! The music. The pop culture. The fashion. Everything. Perfect!<br /><br /><strong>So, friends, it's your turn to share. What's primed and ready-to-watch on your DVR right now? What are your favorite new shows? Any old ones you never get tired of (<em>The Brady Bunch is one of mine!</em>)? xoxo</strong><br /><br />P.S. <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2011/09/glee-premieres-tonight.html">Two</a> <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2010/09/house-is-back.html">more</a> shows I love.<br /><br />P.P.S. I also have a fun How I Met Your Mother theme week coming up soon! :)<br /><br />[Top graphics by <a href="http://www.someecards.com/search-cards/newest/3/20?t=tv">Someecards</a>]

Question of the Week: Question #11

Have a question? I'd love to hear it, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol), friends! Today's question comes to us from Jam...

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Question of the Week: Question #10

<em>Have a question? I'd love to hear it, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol), friends! Today's question comes to us from Mari, who asks...</em><br /><br /><strong>What article have you written that you are proud of?</strong><br /><div align="center"> </div><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6715092741_272a209e8a_o.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7024/6715092741_272a209e8a_o.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 550px;" /></a>Oh, this is definitely an easy one. In 2007, I had a personal essay published in <a href="http://www.redbookmag.com/">Redbook magazine</a>. It was my first national publication, and I was beyond over-the-moon excited -- I was practically out-of-the-galaxy giddy with excitement. The day it came out, my mom and I walked to the gas station by our house and bought a couple copies of the magazine and fountain drinks. We couldn't wait until we got home, so we sat on the curb outside the gas station, the blistering summer sun beating down on us, and flipped right to <em>my</em> page! xoxo<br /><br />P.S. I can't believe it's been almost 5 years! :)

Question of the Week: Question #10

Have a question? I'd love to hear it, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol), friends! Today's question comes to us from Mar...

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Question of the Week: Question #9

<em>Have a question? I'd love to hear it, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol), friends! Today's question comes to us from <a href="http://www.jhaish.blogspot.com/">Jessi</a>, who asks...</em><br /><br /><strong>When did you first know that you wanted to be a journalist?</strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJx5Gyi_MmqT7waM08bjBkD1skoiEY-Gqtc0dhkJNa2G4SWWyjdlbu8shIj1Ab1c-f00brQ2tgFLPQrITS_gkWGsutBvKepuBCqBi0QrDv1IxMF3qezzu2ZC46OsLE-6QUf1lnPt4XwQ/s1600/Publication1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696098297060202930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJx5Gyi_MmqT7waM08bjBkD1skoiEY-Gqtc0dhkJNa2G4SWWyjdlbu8shIj1Ab1c-f00brQ2tgFLPQrITS_gkWGsutBvKepuBCqBi0QrDv1IxMF3qezzu2ZC46OsLE-6QUf1lnPt4XwQ/s400/Publication1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 163px;" /></a>Honestly, I'm not sure when my love of writing and journalism started. If you ask my <a href="http://melissabxoxo.blogspot.com/2011/05/happy-mothers-day.html">mom</a>, she'll tell you that it started when I was a wee lass in elementary school. Apparently, I wrote a poem, full of descriptive prose about a girl running in a field with her hair blowing to the breeze. Or something like that -- I don't really remember said poem, and since no evidence of it remains, I'm forced to take my mother's word for it.<br /><br />But I've always been sure of one thing: I'm probably the nosiest person you'll ever meet. Ever. I'm probably even worse than the paparazzi, actually. I've just always had this unquenchable curiosity. I like to know what's going on and what people are doing. Just ask my mom and sister -- I'm also asking, "What's going on?" and prying into their business. It drives them crazy. I don't do it on purpose; it's just a part of me. These questions just spring from my lips uncontrollably. I've always lived my life as an open book, and I suppose it never occurred to me that not everyone lives like that. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouGUOTUHiNZOBjTk1NjctqQjI1Lr6gu6e16zCVuQTJKb3B5kR_uAOTZoAQzOXb9uXyXURRVsADYGgpI-32mQ3JkhkZRdcq12ziWtG3o1SwTIn16jXB2k3JugxoSBH1uXAYrf3ondev_w/s1600/Publication1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696101266574484962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouGUOTUHiNZOBjTk1NjctqQjI1Lr6gu6e16zCVuQTJKb3B5kR_uAOTZoAQzOXb9uXyXURRVsADYGgpI-32mQ3JkhkZRdcq12ziWtG3o1SwTIn16jXB2k3JugxoSBH1uXAYrf3ondev_w/s400/Publication1.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" /></a>In high school, I joined the newspaper and realized that journalism was something I could possibly see myself doing in the future. Then, in college, I became editor of my college's newspaper. I really found my stride. I loved being in the middle of things, chasing down a story and seeing it all come together on the page.<br /><br />And don't even get me started on the time I fell head-over-heels in love with the film <a href="http://www.imdb.com/find?s=all&q=all+the+president%27s+men">All The President's Men</a>, the film about how a young (<em>very young!</em>) Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein broke the Watergate story in the Washington Post. I wanted to be the Woodward and Bernstein of my generation.<br /><br />Oh, and what do you think of those photos, friends? The one on the left was taken 10 years ago, when I was editor of my college newspaper. The one on the right was taken last spring, in the same office, only now instead of editor of that paper, I'm the adviser. It's eerie and comforting all at the same time. I can't help but feel like I've come full circle. xoxo <br /><br />P.S. See that little desk plaque in the left photo? My father made that for me! :)

Question of the Week: Question #9

Have a question? I'd love to hear it, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol), friends! Today's question comes to us from Jes...

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Question of the Week: Question #8

<em>Have a question? I'd love to hear it, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol), friends! Today's question comes to us from S.M., who asks...</em><br /><br /><strong>Would you ever get a tattoo? If so, what would it be and where? ;)</strong><br /><div align="center"> </div><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6629618631_33dac34f10_o.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7027/6629618631_33dac34f10_o.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 782px;" /></a>Ahhh, the eternal question: To get a tattoo or leave my skin forever clean and uninked? It's a tough one, I must admit. I know it might sound a bit funny, but I used to be sort of afraid of tattoos. I'd seen some people with huge, intricate tattoos adorning their arms, and as a small child, said tattoos did frighten me a bit. But as I've gotten older, I'm starting to think it would be sort of cool to get one. Not a large one, mind you -- being as short as I am, I figure if I get one too big, it will overshadow me, and of course, we don't want that, do we, friends? I'd want my small tattoo -- on my wrist -- to have some sort of story or meaning behind it, so here's what I've been thinking...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSWNDIt_0USHXyb3MXiLdy5sGLheoJ9IHjGcIrSLTt7MIJ1UjNoCkU3L_DFc_5jKneljM5CojeLnFft1FO0siUujUomOO8tnfdiI7PCz-eCiW6-8mKEdm1NbZYjRdecn2NQT5OXooXlM/s1600/aa2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693487452659350402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSWNDIt_0USHXyb3MXiLdy5sGLheoJ9IHjGcIrSLTt7MIJ1UjNoCkU3L_DFc_5jKneljM5CojeLnFft1FO0siUujUomOO8tnfdiI7PCz-eCiW6-8mKEdm1NbZYjRdecn2NQT5OXooXlM/s400/aa2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" /></a>A <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/66780006944098284/">musical note</a> tattoo in honor of my love of music and newfound love of songwriting.<br /><div align="center"> </div><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6629618753_a3bfe73f1e_o.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6629618753_a3bfe73f1e_o.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 533px;" /></a>A <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/119486196333175107/">butterfly tattoo</a> to remind me that my disability should never hold me back from anything -- even flying!<br /><div align="center"> </div><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6629618963_bcfd4ae837_o.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6629618963_bcfd4ae837_o.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 600px;" /></a>A <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/113856696799003834/">rose tattoo</a> on my ankle because my father always called my sister and me <em>rosebud</em>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFN2b942uVI59TrocobD_6LIhcPppHVpjBTwnAE3rYE6qvKP-A3du0ek52weuc4Scu3AM70fIQSdE2q_pDq0zJnQkmUgkcIBOPipLW_h0Ycp0o-0yl4rIQaATilhR_igWchCaVUvL0p5c/s1600/aa5.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693487453516485922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFN2b942uVI59TrocobD_6LIhcPppHVpjBTwnAE3rYE6qvKP-A3du0ek52weuc4Scu3AM70fIQSdE2q_pDq0zJnQkmUgkcIBOPipLW_h0Ycp0o-0yl4rIQaATilhR_igWchCaVUvL0p5c/s400/aa5.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PeyfGgG70GvjezOJkVZhoSnVG2itRjX-j9G6MWA9QtzIQ1q0Q2Uw4efD0-NT0EOpuk-bn40BN4aXIJOlGLiHTwLGtnYtyN4UeOIThKQzd3v1n5C-H_pL06q1FzAEuCSFcgzduI86mXc/s1600/aa7.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693487449384568994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PeyfGgG70GvjezOJkVZhoSnVG2itRjX-j9G6MWA9QtzIQ1q0Q2Uw4efD0-NT0EOpuk-bn40BN4aXIJOlGLiHTwLGtnYtyN4UeOIThKQzd3v1n5C-H_pL06q1FzAEuCSFcgzduI86mXc/s400/aa7.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></a><div align="center"> </div><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6629619063_aee420dd6d_o.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6629619063_aee420dd6d_o.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 424px;" /></a>A <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/247135098271463180/">heart tattoo</a> and an <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/115052965449961483/">infinity</a> <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/188729040604092671/">tattoo</a> for my romantic side.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZf3Ya0b5hyphenhyphenMMYD7_Rsk1ox5kLnZoMQGE0tH6pzsROOYZVIqJrInSv5vNMYgOukPoYAmYtLOzrlMbcozOmRP-tYD5ED6jG40HHtfkn7qa6AttyreZATkVcuY4H4N8aruaF-r42moxlL4/s1600/aa8.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693486497502458242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZf3Ya0b5hyphenhyphenMMYD7_Rsk1ox5kLnZoMQGE0tH6pzsROOYZVIqJrInSv5vNMYgOukPoYAmYtLOzrlMbcozOmRP-tYD5ED6jG40HHtfkn7qa6AttyreZATkVcuY4H4N8aruaF-r42moxlL4/s400/aa8.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 246px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK81PXZyPPIGZr2SLYgfuYdkiYKhpmV39BKnEgyJTG_NnTAhOupZ1TmpsskliKoHikDsvhHvp55XvPTDx1ByUcWRDgGH9EOkqBrH1CeGWH5fpyQ9H6efHmN3IXedOcKrZmXNyUM8CgQAk/s1600/aa9.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693486492995142722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK81PXZyPPIGZr2SLYgfuYdkiYKhpmV39BKnEgyJTG_NnTAhOupZ1TmpsskliKoHikDsvhHvp55XvPTDx1ByUcWRDgGH9EOkqBrH1CeGWH5fpyQ9H6efHmN3IXedOcKrZmXNyUM8CgQAk/s400/aa9.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><div align="center"> </div><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6629782101_fb6e2a3491_o.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6629782101_fb6e2a3491_o.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 601px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5VQ2yYUz8S6Dq3Bv-i5MB1hXoTVXp7nD35hY208kMwz4no3dOoIGujwMVPO4JM5bDYNtnHgjh1xhOIucxL3Gn1Dp3jWYmPFmSlWNag8dQDlsdAr791RYUDUnVaVfj1X9uB1S_aKBl1w/s1600/aa12.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693486487598820866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5VQ2yYUz8S6Dq3Bv-i5MB1hXoTVXp7nD35hY208kMwz4no3dOoIGujwMVPO4JM5bDYNtnHgjh1xhOIucxL3Gn1Dp3jWYmPFmSlWNag8dQDlsdAr791RYUDUnVaVfj1X9uB1S_aKBl1w/s400/aa12.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 321px;" /></a><div align="center"> </div><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6629619341_68d6448b13_o.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6629619341_68d6448b13_o.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 689px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2rMDwBCFHL9BnwzKmg4owIJ-Qf5YPE6upxH3Ri6llkjHdIOPwkIZvczMEwFZfkAiqAZ-YZAPqoi6APag0whB4lyYbfQQb8WxtQpaB8xip6iyPRn4spA500vvRFK35O-DxqCo-Y5Cd08/s1600/aa14.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693486484913271186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2rMDwBCFHL9BnwzKmg4owIJ-Qf5YPE6upxH3Ri6llkjHdIOPwkIZvczMEwFZfkAiqAZ-YZAPqoi6APag0whB4lyYbfQQb8WxtQpaB8xip6iyPRn4spA500vvRFK35O-DxqCo-Y5Cd08/s400/aa14.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a>Words like <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/126100858285856837/">imagine</a>, <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/140667188330686655/">Let It Be</a>, <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/21321798205352862/">love</a>, <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/192247477812902298/">forever young</a>, <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/87749892709101213/">believe</a> and <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/51087776992564223/">wanderlust</a> to always keep me inspired.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vBcvU73g5J3RxATw0xM8EJzm_sPHZ8ucmEkmOJpcfumYiILov-A83gmIR1DPSeD__fnZuQdtzOyPUAudW0RCGaNimw-bwCan9gdl78n2dVpbisffPPHhvL0hWIqRmeNWGZCoKhoY9OU/s1600/aa11.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693486486287691714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vBcvU73g5J3RxATw0xM8EJzm_sPHZ8ucmEkmOJpcfumYiILov-A83gmIR1DPSeD__fnZuQdtzOyPUAudW0RCGaNimw-bwCan9gdl78n2dVpbisffPPHhvL0hWIqRmeNWGZCoKhoY9OU/s400/aa11.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 0px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" /></a>And of course, a tattoo of <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/37365871877826268/">quotation marks</a> for my love of writing and my geeky grammar side.<br /><br /><strong>What do you think, friends? Do you have any of these tattoos? Any ones you dream of getting? </strong><br /><br />[Tattoo chart via <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/238901955202705356/">Pinterest</a>]

Question of the Week: Question #8

Have a question? I'd love to hear it, so feel free to email me (mellow1422 [at] aol), friends! Today's question comes to us from S.M...

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